Politics & Government

West End Out? Borough Council Votes to Shop for EMS Provider

Dissatisfied with the West End Fire Co.'s performance, the borough will seek bids.

With the West End Fire Company floundering, the Phoenixville Borough Council voted unanimously at its October 9 meeting to shop for a new EMS provider, The Times Herald is reporting.

According to the paper, councilman David Gautreau said the borough has grown displeased with the fire company’s EMS performance, citing a Labor Day incident and the fact that Spring City has already abandoned West End in favor of another provider.

He added that West End promised their truck to the Phoenixville Fire Department, but did not honor the deal.

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Ron Sigismonti Jr., West End’s new ambulance coordinator, was present at the meeting. He acknowledged the service issues that have plagued the company, but said they can be rectified.

“I realize it’s not a good situation, I’m not arguing with that,” Sigismonti reportedly said. “I think I can come in and if I’m allowed to try and right the wrongs, [I think I can] work with everybody.”

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The West End Professional Fire Fighters Association, in a letter it released to press before the meeting, said replacing the company might be good PR, but wouldn’t improve emergency services in the borough.

“Such a change in the EMS Unit would have no effect on the improvement of other services except the perception that something defective has been excised,” president Perry D. Kurtz wrote.

Gautreau said the bids could be voted on as soon as January and West End could well win back the contract. He conceded though that if a vote were held at the October meeting, his position on West End would be a firm "no."


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